Simon Shimaitis Obituary

Simon shimaitis Simon (Sam) Shimaitis, was born in Chicago on August 6, 1918 of Lithuanian immigrant parents. He was a son, husband, brother, grandfather, uncle, warrior, worker, artist, wood carver, photographer and outdoorsman. He graduated from Kelly High School and worked at Belmont Radio, where he assembled electronics (this was a secret project making radar) for the Second World War effort. He completed basic training at Camp Pickett in Virginia. He spent the war in France and Germany as part of the Heavy Ponton Engineer Company. A member of the Greatest Generation, returning from the war, he spent 35 years at United States Steel, where he travelled all nationwide installing and maintaining strapping machines. He truly was a man of steel! There was never a machine he could not fix. He was a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan, who teared up every time he sang our national anthem. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing on Lake Michigan. The Department of Natural Resources weighed and measured a Coho salmon he caught at five pounds, twenty inches long. That was no fish tale! No matter what his schedule, he was never too busy to take friends or family fishing. His motto, "one day at a time," was tested during his wife 's ten year illness. He was stalwart in his love, devotion and care. Simon was tough enough to survive a broken neck at the age of 93! He would never want anyone to mourn his passing (he died two days short of his 95th birthday). The next time you wear green (his favorite color), eat a piece of pie or drink an imported beer, think of him and celebrate a life well lived. Simon wanted no funeral If you are so moved, a contribution to the Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702 would honor his commitment to the environment.